Xjr-15
Apr 19, 2011 | 07:44 AM
#41
Teamspeed Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 180
I know I'm a bit late, but congratulations on the spectacular acquisition!
The XJR-15 is undoubtedly one of the rarest and most unique modern supercars. It really is a beast of a car, and i'm sure that thing really wakes you up when you drive it!
Drive safe and enjoy it in the best of health!
The XJR-15 is undoubtedly one of the rarest and most unique modern supercars. It really is a beast of a car, and i'm sure that thing really wakes you up when you drive it!
Drive safe and enjoy it in the best of health!
Apr 20, 2011 | 02:36 AM
#43
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 325
Took the XJR-15 and the K'egg out for back to back drives on Saturday. Will report on the K'egg seperately. With each time out, the XJR-15 continues to get better on the road. Having now learned the gearbox, it actually is a great fast thing to use. You basically can run from 1st thru 5th just by moving your wrist. Engine is much happier now and the power really pours on when you put a bit of right foot into it. One trick I have just learned is to keep on the brakes slightly at turn in on higher speed corners. It forces the front end down and you get a bit more bite. It offsets the natural understeer.
Yesterday I had a great drive in the XJR-15. The big break through in terms of driving was realizing that it really is set up as a race car and needs to be driven like one. I.e. you need to set it up in advance for each change of direction, gear shift, braking, etc. Driving it for the 3rd or 4th time on the same roads that I know well, it just all came together. First time I can really say this, we really started to bond.
In general I have a set route that I take for most of the short weekend runs out that is a roughly 20 mile loop. Yesterday at the end of the loop, I wanted to keep going. Every time in the past, making it to the end has brought with it a feeling of relief -------akin to riding the dragon and surviving. This time, it all flowed. Part of it is having just that much more experience behind the wheel and knowing the "15" that much better. Part of it is the "15" getting a few more miles under its wheels after far too many years sitting in a private collection.
The handling continues to improve as the tyres bed in and the suspension gets more work. Everything feels like it is now moving that much more smoothly. The clutch is very different from any other car I have driven, but once you get used to it, it quite manageable. Power from the 6 liter V12 even 20 years later, is brain mashing. Put your foot down in 2nd gear (with all four wheels pointing straight ahead) and it just flies. A quick upshift into 3rd and you are not far from hitting triple digits. The steering rack is geared for the track, so it requires plenty of input to navigate on the road. The lack of any sort of insulation or sound deadening imparts the impression that you really are strapped to the front of a rocket. Headphones are a must and the totality of the experience is exhilarating. It is a car that is truly alive.
YouTube - Jaguar XJR-15 Drive March 2011.mp4
In general I have a set route that I take for most of the short weekend runs out that is a roughly 20 mile loop. Yesterday at the end of the loop, I wanted to keep going. Every time in the past, making it to the end has brought with it a feeling of relief -------akin to riding the dragon and surviving. This time, it all flowed. Part of it is having just that much more experience behind the wheel and knowing the "15" that much better. Part of it is the "15" getting a few more miles under its wheels after far too many years sitting in a private collection.
The handling continues to improve as the tyres bed in and the suspension gets more work. Everything feels like it is now moving that much more smoothly. The clutch is very different from any other car I have driven, but once you get used to it, it quite manageable. Power from the 6 liter V12 even 20 years later, is brain mashing. Put your foot down in 2nd gear (with all four wheels pointing straight ahead) and it just flies. A quick upshift into 3rd and you are not far from hitting triple digits. The steering rack is geared for the track, so it requires plenty of input to navigate on the road. The lack of any sort of insulation or sound deadening imparts the impression that you really are strapped to the front of a rocket. Headphones are a must and the totality of the experience is exhilarating. It is a car that is truly alive.
YouTube - Jaguar XJR-15 Drive March 2011.mp4
This was shot from one of the Ferraris that followed the XJR-15 that day:
YouTube - Chasing a Jaguar XJR-15 and a group of Ferraris & Lamborghinis
YouTube - Chasing a Jaguar XJR-15 and a group of Ferraris & Lamborghinis
Apr 22, 2011 | 01:39 AM
#45
Board Certified Car Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,825
How awesome is that ! Truly one of the coolest cars on Teamspeed...top three for me !
The in car footage is wonderful....blows away all the misconceptions that these beasts cannot be street driven.
Congratulations once again on owning and driving one of the sweetest cars out there
The in car footage is wonderful....blows away all the misconceptions that these beasts cannot be street driven.
Congratulations once again on owning and driving one of the sweetest cars out there
Apr 25, 2011 | 02:26 AM
#47
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 325
Thanks. Per the question on clutches & gearboxes, I think the issue is with the cars fitted witih the 6 speed non-syncro race boxes (mine has a 5 speed syncro road box. The 6 speed boxes are near demonic to try to drive.
